Two missed penalties was the difference between a win, a draw and the loss Caerphilly at Abertillery on November 1 as Caerphilly went down 16-13 in Division Two East.
The home side got off to the best of starts with a penalty from outside-half Liam Crandon.
Crandon missed a chance on 28 minutes before converting a 38th minute try by Jordan Legge.
Having been awarded a penalty the home side kicked for touch. From the lineout, play went wide before winning a scrum as the ball was held up over the line on the far right. Picking from the base a ruck was formed and the hooker burst through a gap as the ball came out to cross the line.
Caerphilly managed a 34th minute penalty from Lloyd Rowlands, but the outside-half missed a golden opportunity to close the gap on the stroke of half time, pushing the kick just wide of the uprights taking a 10-3 deficit into the second half.
A 49th minute penalty from Crandon extended the home side’s lead. Rowlands had another chance to reduce the deficit, but again, pushed the penalty just wide of the uprights before converting a 60th minute chance to set up a tense 20 minutes.
Crandon was sin-binned on 65 minutes, persistent offside’s and hands in the ruck eventually taking their toll on the match official.
A penalty from full back Michael Williams in Crandon’s absence extended the lead after 74 minutes before Caerphilly finally decided to change gear and attack the home side.
A minute later, the home side lost another player to the bin as Crandon re-entered the fray.
Persistent pressure from the visitors eventually paid off as captain and second row Gareth England crossed the line at the death following a series of penalties. Rowlands converted.
Despite some stoppages in the second half there was only one minute added time and the referee blew for full time as the conversion was scored.
Caerphilly were left frustrated having clawed their way back into the match only to receive a losing bonus point.
The main sides take a break as the Autumn Internationals kick off, returning for a friendly on November 22 with an Army Exiles team at Virginia Park.
The Youth however, fresh from their wing against Gilfach Goch in the Youth Cup second round and a league victory over New Panteg last weekend by 22-29, visit Pontypridd on Friday November 7 for a friendly fixture, kick off 7.15pm.